The Detroit Lions have three key defensive players starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Projected starters Brian Branch, Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader are all idle to start the summer sessions.
Based on Dan Campbell’s press conference to kick off the training camp on Wednesday morning, none of the conditions seem like long-term concerns for the Lions.
Campbell indicated that Branch and Davenport would be working out in the walkthrough portion of practice on Wednesday. That’s a sign they are very close to ready to roll.
“We feel like everybody’s really doing well,” Campbell said. “On schedule for where we pictured them to be.”
Reader, the team’s top defensive tackle addition, is coming off a torn quadriceps that he suffered in December last year while playing with the Bengals. He needs a little more time, something Campbell indicates the Lions are perfectly willing to give him.
“We’re not in any hurry with him,” Coach Campbell stated. “But he’s doing well, getting his strength back. The injury is healed. It’s just a matter of getting him to that point where now we feel comfortable getting him out there and competing.”
Campbell added that “Davenport is a little closer than Branch is” to being cleared off the PUP list.